Automatic train-pipe connecter



March 17, 1931. G. E. BALDWIN AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER OriginalFiled Nov. 14, 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 im nnuuunnumnum March 17, 1931. (5,E BALD-Wm 1,797,167

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed Nov. 14, 1919 3Sheets-Sheet 2 5 n vc vy to z $51.3 attoammgs March 1931- G. E. BALDWIN1,797,167

' AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed Nov. 14, 1919 3Sheets-Sheet s 3 nvawtoz 1 @51 attozmu Patented Mar. 17, 1931 o-Eonen n.BAnDwIN, or LIMA, OHIO, nssrenon TQ Josnrn .V. 3931mm OFHNLEW YORK, N;

AUTOMATIC rnarn-rrrn'oonnnornn Application filed November 14, 19. 19,Serial No. 338,103. Renewed March 30, 1929. I

gbetween railways cars, andan object'of the imfention is to providel'lllptOVGtl'lllGtUlS for L5" supporting thecoupling head of theconnector 4 for universal movement with the minimum .jlGSiStELllCB-tOsuch movement, thus ensuring "that the connection between the matedcouplings comprising my improvement will re main air tight under alloperative conditions of service, and that the sharp whipping movement ofcars when running over rough track will be absorbed by my improvementand thus prevented from causing mated coupling heads to move one uponanother. Much difficulty hasbeen encountered heretofore in overcomingthe tendency of'mated coupling heads to thus move, such movementbeing-caused generally by the failure'oi the universal support for theheads to respond instantly and freely and thus allow the heads'toaccommodate themseves to the various positions which cars in serviceassume. My improvement eiitectively' overcol'i'i'esthis d i iiiculty,and consists in the arrangements, combinations, and constructionsdescribed in the following specification, and" pointed out "in theannexed claims, andillustrated in the accompanying r drawingsinwhichcoupler of a'car.

I fFigure '1 a sectional elevation of my improved support show ng itapphed to the-car Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional planview ofmyimprovement. 7

shown in. Figures land 2.

Figure 4 is a'front view of my improvement taken on the line 2-2 ofFigure Figure 5 is a rear View of the bracket'member B of myimprovement, and c V Figure 6 is a front viewlof the bracket 13..

' Referring to the drawings: Any satisfactory. form of coupling head Ahaving a port the'conduit 9 of my improved support, but 1' preferablycon-ne'ct it as by means of threads shown. The conduit 9 curveslaterally of said head at the rear'thereof and terminates preferably inthreaded portion 10 to-which Figure 3 1s a rear VVlGW of the structurethe-trampipe' hose'll off the car is attached as by fitting 12, or itmay be otherwise satis'faetorily attached. 'VVl-ren the ho's'e isSocured in place the fluid therein will of course be directed to thecouplinghead A. y

To support the coupling head for universal movement, whereby it mayreadily accommodate itself to -the various movements of carsi n seryice,I provide a base or bracket B .which is io'rked at rts upper end asshown,

and is suitably connected to-a lug 13 of the car coupler C as bybOltSIi. The bracket carries atfits lower end a vertically extending'cylin drically formed, or flared, projection or device cuivediirboththe vertical .and horizontal planes and which-is preferend thereof. Theprojection is located on substantially the vertical center line of thebracket B and is provided at its lower end with lugs 16 formedintegrally therewith, the

' rear'face of said lu'gs'being in the plane of the rear side of thebracket B. It will be observed that that portion of the bracketfromwhich the projection 15 extends is considerably wider than the rear faceof said lugs. Thus the contact between the flange or portion 19 I otthehead-supporting body hereinafter de- 7 scribed-andthe bracket B abovesaid vertically curvedportion of the device 15is of v greater extentthan the contact thereofbelow said portion. 7 r y From-the conduit 9spaced straps, or means, I! (and 18'extend to the rearofthe bracket Band are joinedfithereatby atransverselyextending portion or projectionorfiange 19 which] is provided with an opening 20 and an annular sea-t21,the'opening2O being of sufficient diameterjto embrace the verticallycurved portion 22 of the projection or device Though they may beotherwise connected: I show" the flange or portion 19' and the straps 17and 18-"as formed integrally with the conduit 9 which construction maybe said. to constitute". a .hollow' head-supporting body 1) into whi hthe bracket B and the projection 15 ezrjtendasshown. i.

To resiliently support the coupling head A for universal movement Iprovide a member or tie-rod E having an open end or perforated head 23,the forward inner wall or face H-of which is preferably cylindricallyformed in cross section as shownin Figures 1 and 2. I mount this tie rodor member on the projection or device with its cylindrically formed face24 seatedrin the curved complementary seat 25 of saiddevice'upon whichseat said tie rod or member may move universally relative to the deviceand the bracket B. The bottom surface of the seat '25 is preferably insubstantially the same vertical plane as the rear surface of theparts 16and 29 of the bracket B against which the portion 19contacts, or, ifdesired, the seat may be positioned either rearwardly or forwardly ofsuch plans. I This arrangement of parts facilitates free lateralmovementofthe tie rod and body D relative to the bracket without ammingorbinding against-thelatter. The head 23 of the member or tie rod Eextends through the opening of the tiange or portion 19 into the hollowbody D and beyond the bracket B,-wl ii-le the rear end 26 thereof liesbehindthe bracket B and-car- 'ries a nut 27 hav ng an abutment 28,.thenut and the abutment being adjustably mounted on the member E asbyfithreads as shown.

'A spiral conical buffer spring 13 surrounds the member E and isinterposed between the flange-or projection 19 and the abutment 28withits large end resting in theseat .21 on and 18 with the corners 29of the bracket B,

while accidental dislodgcnientc-f the member E from ts seat on thedevice or projection 1.5 is prevented by the tension of thesprin 1 a n hb it. The head 20 of the inemoer lb is provided with an elongated slot30 so that it may be passed over the lugs 16, on the device 15, from oneside of the bracket B in assembling. lt w ll be observed that'thelongitudinal center line of the device 15'is disposed ata right angle tothe longitudinal center line of the member E and the fluid conduit 9.

It will be understood that by removing nut 27 and spring Ffrom thememberE, the head.

A can be withdrawn from its matinghead, while two cars are coupled inservice. YVhen the heads are thus separated, the member E can be rotatedon the bracket until'the slot 30 thereof is alined with the lugs 16 ofthe bracket, when this member andthe hollow body D may be removeddownwardly from the bracket.

The foregoing construction produces an efiicient improved support bywhich the com pling head A will be supported for universal movement withthe minimum resistance to such movement. Through the medium of theguides 81 of the coupling head A opposing connecters are aligned as thecars couple, the gasket 8 and the port 7 of one head mating and aligningwith those of the other. This cont-act takes place in advance of thefull coupling of the cars so that as the car couplers C move into finalengagement the body D of the connecterby reason of the en gagement ofthe coupling head with a mating head is moved rearwardly against thetension of the buffer spring F, the flange 19 being thereby carried awayfrom the rear side'of' the base orbracket'B. This opera-"* tion removesthe resistance which the spring 7 F offers to lateral movement of'thecoupling head from the normal uncoupled position, and produces what maybe termed a floating support'for the coupled heads, inasmuch as noresistance to lateral movement of the heads when coupled ispresented bythe support except the very slight frictional resistance occurring atthe connection between the projection 15 and the/member or tie rod 11.

Also when two heads are thus brought together and the coiled springs Fcompressed,

' the front ends of these springs will flex and yield so that the heads.and supporting 1116111 H -bers therefor will be capable of substa-n tialmovement in avertical plane relative to the bracket and withsubstantially 'no movement or only slight movement of the tie rods.

With a construction of this character the, sharp wl ipping motion ofcars running over rough track, which motion tends always to move theheads relatively, cannot get through the support to the couplingheads Abut is lost at the universal joint between the device 15 and the memberE, thus allowing the full resistance of the spring F to be directed tothe important'and essential function Of liOhb ing the faces of inated.couplii g heads in tight engagement with the ports thereof in properalignment. Furthermore, the arrangement described is such that the bodyD, including the members 17 and 18 thereof, the

tie rod 'E and spring F is capable ofi'otation as a whole in eitherdirection around the,

lower end of the bracket B. The transverse "1 0 ly extending lugsandportions 29 respective- 1y above and below' themembers 1'? and 18 areso proportioned to facilitate such roltaryfmovemenh This capability ofoperation is important because the car couplers ing the rear portionoverse to the track; The present arrangen'lentperlnitsthe parts to assumesuch abnorlnal positionwithout being bent or broken.

Iam aware that changes niay "be made in my improvements, and that theprojection and the head 23' of the member E may be made 'in variousshapes in cross section, as

'foryins'tance' rectangular, but I 'have'i llus' "trateda Very eflicientand satisfactory forin, though I do not desire to be limited-to theexact'constru'ction. disclosed; VV'hat I'cla'im asnew and'desire' tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In'an automatic traln pipe connector,

a'bracket having a portion rigid therewith at its lower end providedwith a seaton its front face, a coupling: head, a body seen-red theretoandexte'n'ding rearwardly and having atp'ort-ion adapted to contact withthe rear face of'the "bracket, a member pivotal'ly en- "gaging saidseat, and a spring supported on said member foryieldingly holding'thesame I to said seat andtsaid body against the bracket.

2. In an automatictrain pipe connector, a

bracket having a portion rigid therewith at of the bracket, a springmounted on said member and engaging -the rear portion of said body forholding the same against the r i cured to said headandextendingrearwardbracket. J y 7 3; In an automatic train pipe connecter,a

bracket having a vertically arran, ;ed rate? gral portion at itsloWerend,'acou-pling'head, a body secured thereto and'extendingrearwardly and having a portion adapted-t0 contact With the rear faee ofthe bracket, a tie rod'surrounding and pivotally' engaging said\'-'ert-ica'lly arranged portion of the bracket,

a spring snp'ported'by saidtie-rodan-d engagf said'body for holding thesame against the bracket. Y

i 4. ln anaiitoinatic 13132111131136 connecter, a

"bracket having a substantiallycylindrical [portion at its lower-end, acouplnig'head, a' body secured thereto and eXtencl111g-rear- Wardly andhaving a portion adapted 'to'oonfact with the rear face o't the bracket,rod engaging the front .faeev of said "cyhnd-rical portion of thebracket and extending rea'rwardly of the bracket, a 'coiled springsupported by said" tie rod and engag1ng-tl 1e rear portionof'sa'idfbodyffor holding the 'same against the bracket.

5. In an'autom'atlc train pipe connecter, a

bracket having a rigid'portionat its lower a coupling head, a bodysecuredtlrereto eye through W bracket, a coupling h'e-a v membersextendingrearwardly of; saildhead "and fillELDQQQl on'oppo'site sides0f" th-e veragainst the bracket.

has arranged on opposit sides of; said bracket and spaced a suflieientdistance to permit removal of said body downwardly from said bracket, a"tie rod engagin-g said seat on *the rigid portion of the'br'acketandextending rearW-ardly of the-same, an 1 a press-ion on its front face,a'coupling head, a

body secured thereto and extending rearwa'rcll'y-ai-id having a portionadapted tocontact- With the rear face of the bracket, a tie rod sut-rounding saidvertically arranged portion of the "bra'eketand engagingthe depression in the trontface thereof-, said :tie rod extendingrearwar'dly of said bracket,

and a "coiled v spring surrounding the tie rod and engaging the rearportion-of said body for holding the same against the. bracket. 7. In anautomat c train pipe connecter, a

- bracket having a vertically arranged portion at its lower end, saidportion having axdep-ress'io'non its front face and having a lateralproject-ion at its lower, end, a'tie 'rodexteindrearwardly of saidbracket and having an 11' said vertically arranged portion of thebracket 'pl roj ects, the frontend of the {eye in sa id 'tie rodengaging said depression in the front face of'ithe'braekenn couplinghead, a pair of spaced members selyonopposite s'ides ot said bracket, aflange 7 supported by said tie rod and engaging said flangeforholdgmgContact with 1 the bracket, ,t

In an automatic trainipipe eo'nnecter, a bracket havrngi at'ltsii lower6nd fl VEt1C3flly arranged integral 'po-rt ion,ssai-d portion haying'asea-t onits' f'rontf ce,a't1 e-1?odr engaging said seat andextendingrearwardly of'said ticall y arranged portion of bracketeaflange 'carried by fsaid members adapted to contact with therear'faceo'f thebraeke'n-an afbutrnenton the rea r endof said tie rod.and a coiled spring sepported by said tie rodiand arranged between saidabutment and said flange for yieldingly holdingthe latter {9. Inanautomatic jt'r'a'iin pipe; connec te1-, the combination of? acouplithghead,amem- 7 I ber-securedtlreret iand extendi n rearwardend providedwith a iseaton'iits front face,

ly andhavingtherein an el'ongated'opening,

m rojeetion-at the'rear end of said member, a car coupler,a'bracketri'gidtysecured he car coupler and'ha-ving at itslowe" elongated"portion- Whieh extendsdownwarda pair of spaced 1 ly into the'jopeninginsaid member, a device engaging the front face of said elongated vicefor-extending said coupling head with said projection normally engagingthe rear side of said bracket.

10. In an'automat-ictrain pipe connecter, the combination with a carcoupler of a bracket rigidly secured thereto andextending downwardlytherefrom, the bracket being provided at its lower end with an elongatedportion, a coupling head, a member secured tosaid head and extendingrear .devlce engaging the front surface of sa1d Wardly thereof, saidmember comprising spacedportlons which span said elongated portion ofthe bracket, a pro ect1on on the rear end of saidmember, a devicepivotally supported upon thefrontface of said elongated portion of thebracket for rocking movement thereon, and a spring for maintaining saiddevice in position and for extending said coupling head with saidprojection normally engaging the rear side of said bracket. 1

1.1..In an automatic'trai'n pipe connecter,

incombination, a car coupler, a bracket rigidly secured to said couplerand extending downwardly therefrom, .saidbracket being provided at itslower end with a downwardly extending elongated port-ion having a curvedseat on its front face, a coupling head, a member secured theretoandextending rearwardly and'having aportion. adapted to contact with therear face of the bracket, a tie rod pivotally engaging saidelongatedportion of the bracket for rockingmovement on said seat, aspring surrounding said tie rod and engaging the rear portion of saidmember.

' pling head, a member-secured thereto and extil 'tendin g rearwardlyand .having a. portion adapted to contact with the rear face of thebracketfa tie rod engaging said elongated portionof the bracket andpositioned on said seat, said tie rod extending rearwardly of thebracket, and a spring supported by said rod and engaging the rearportion of said member for holding the same against the bracket: Q

13.. In an automatic train pipe c-onnecter, a bracket having atits lowerend a downward- 'l v extending elongated portion having a curved seat onits front face, a'coupl nghead', a member secured tosaid headandextending rearwardly on opposite sides of said elongated portion of thebracket, said member being providedwith a projectionjfor engaging therear side of said bracket,-a;device engaging said seat on the bracketfor rocking movement relative thereto, a spring carried by said deviceand acting to maintain sa d-pro ection against the rear face of thebracket.

14. In an automatic train pipe connecter,

the combination of a, coupling head, a' member secured thereto andextending rearwardlyand havmgtherem an elongated opening, SELlCl memberalso having a portionadapted to engage the rear side of the bracket, acar coupler, a bracket rigidlysecured to said car coupler and having anelongated portion at its lower end, which portion extends downwardlyinto the opening in said member, a-

, 15. In an automatic train pipe connector,

the combination of a coupling head, a member secured thereto andextending rearwardly and having therein an elongated opening, saidmember also having a portion adapted to engage the, rearsideof thebracket, a car coupler, a bracket rigidly secured to said can couplerand having a portion at its lower end which extends downwardly into theopening in said member, a device extending rearwardly from said bracket,said device also having an opening through which said .portion of thebracket extends, a spring mounted on said device and engaging sanlmember for pressingv the same towards said bracket, the-openings in saidmember and said device being so arranged as to permit said member anddevice to be removed downwardly from said bracket while said car coupleris connected to a mating coupler.

16. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of-acouplinghead, a bracket having a seat on its front surface, a memberspanningsaid bracket andconnected with said coupling head, said memberbeing provided with an opening, a projection rigid with the bracket andextending into opening to support the rear end of said member againstvertical shifting on the bracket when in the normal uncoupled position.a tie rod engaging said seat and extending rearwardly of said bracket,said tie rod having universal movement, on said seat, a coiled springsupported by said tie rod and engaging said member-to yieldmgly sustainsaid coupling head infront of said bracket, and

means cooperating withthe tie rod to secure member spanningsaid bracketand connected with said coupling head, a tie rod extending said couplinghead, and said bracket having port ons extendmg away from oppositesides,

thereof to prevent undue rotation of said member relative to; thebracket. i

18. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a couplinghead, a flange having anopening therein, means connect;

ing said flange and said head, a b racket the 1'8L1"S1Cl6 OfmWl'llCllrests normally against said flange, the bracket having a rigid pro--jection extending downwardlyfrom its lower end, and a pivot memberextending throughthe opening in said flange and embracing the projectionon said bracket, said member and said bracket co-operating to preventundue vertical shifting of said flange and a spring for extending saidcoupling head. i

19.7111 an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination of a couplinghead, a flange having a perforation, means connecting said flange withsaid head, a bracket having at its lower end a downwardly extendingrigid projection, a pivot member projecting thronghthe opening in saidflange and en1 bracing the projection of said bracket and acting tomaintain said flange in proper service position and to permit universalmovement of said head relatlve to said bracket, an abutment carrled atone end of said pivot member, and a spring interposed between portionmembers and lies in a trader rigidlj said abutmentand sa'idfiange formaintaining said coupling head at the limit of its forward movement. g

20. In an automatic train pipe coupling,

the combination of a coupling head, a verti ally extending projection atthe rear of said head, spaced members connecting said pro jection andsaid head, a bracket the lower ater whichcarries a vertically disposedthe side walls of which diverge tip: wardly from an intermediate pointand which is positioned between said spaced front of said projection andcontacts therewith, a seat on the rear of said vertically extendingproje'ction and hair r g an opening, a pivot device extending throughsaid opening and embracing said v rtically disposed portion of the meda, the-contacting faces of said pivot device and said verticallydisposed portion of tie bI'ELCk t diver ing, in "difierent directionsfrom their point of contact, and a spring-aetin against said verticallyx te ndiag projection to elxtend said coupling head.

21}. In an" antornatic-trainpipe o ling, the combinationof a qqu-plinghead, spaced members secured to said headand prqyidd t ei r a end r ratdfi er end of which extends downwardly be- 7 tween said Spaced members,said lower, end

offs'aidb'raeket being provided with a be'ar ing portion, a pivot deviceextending through the open ng 111 said flange andhaviiiga per; foratedhead which embraces said bearing portion of thebra'c'ket said bearingPortion extending rearwai'dlyd thereof the inner vfaces of which membershe insubstantially vertical planes, a flange secu'red'to said spacedmembers, a bracket the lower end of which extends downwardly betweensaid spaced members and'whichis provided with a seat on its front face,an eyebolt extending rearwardly past said flange and having a headprovided with an opening into which said lower end of said bracketextends with said seat engaging the forward inner wall of the head ofsaid eye belt, a spring supported by said bolt andacting against saidflange to project said coupling head with said flange normallyrestingagainstthe 16w e'r' end of said bracket and means for bearing thecoinpressionof said spring. I r

'23. In anaiitoniatic'train pipe coupling, the combinationof a hbll'owbody connected at one end with a coupling head and having at its" otherend av vertically .di-s'pdsed pei' forat'ed flangeja pivot device havinga periforated head which extendsthi ough the per foration of saidflangeinto the hollowof said body, a bracket the lower portionofwhichterminates in a neck which extends into and pivotally receives theperforated he'a d of said pivot device, said neclihavinga fiont wailwhichfdiv rges rearwardlv in thehdf'i ontal plane and also having sidewalls which vsrgegiatsmny iii'thev'eiticai plaiiea eve and below saidneck, wherebytlie iippei and pertons or ai'd'necl a am n tier-a pipecarping,

n with a emailinghead, a pair s 's' seeped be said head mid .v t f weLaw forated flange or projection secured to said members and adapted tobear against'said bracket, a pivot device pivotally connected to saidbracket and extending rearwardly thereof, a spring supported by saiddevice and bearing against said projection, said bracket having anintegral portion provided with a seat, and said pivot device having aportion hooked over said seat of the bracket. 25. In an automatic trainpipe coupling,

the combination with a coupling head, a pair of spaced members securedto said head and extending rearwardly thereof, a bracket rigidly securedin position and having at its lower portion an integral neck extendingdownwardly between said spaced members, said spaced members havingabearing portion adapted to bear against said bracket, a pivot devicesurrounding and pivotally engaging the neck of said bracket and extend-.ing rearwardly thereof, and a spring supseat, and a spring formaintaining said device in position and normally pressing said portionagainst said rear surface, of the bracket, the contacting surfacesbetween said member and said bracket and between said device and saidbracket being formed to permit rotation of said member and said devicein either direction around said bracket to the extent of at least 90.

27. In an automatic train pipe connecter, in combination, a brackethaving a rear sur face and also having at its lower end an elons gatedportion provided with a seat on its front face, the surface of said seatbeing in substantially the same verticalplane as said rear face of thebracket, a coupling head, spaced members secured thereto and extendingrearwardly on opposite sides of said bracket, a projection to which therear ends of said members are connected and which is adapted to engagesaid rear surface of the bracket, adevice pivotally supported on saidseat and extending rearwardly through said projection and a' springsurrounding said device and engaging said projection.

28. In an automatic train pipev connecter, in combination with a carcoupler, a bracket rigidly secured to said coupler and extendingdownwardly therefrom and havinga seat on its front face adjacent itslower end, acoupling head, a pair of spaced members secured to said headand extending rearwardly there, of and spanning said bracket, aprojection,

secured to the rear portion of said members for engaging the rearsurfaceof the bracket, a pivot device engaging said seat on the bracket,a coiled spring for holding said de-" stantially unobstructed rotationfrom their.

normal position around said bracket to 'the extent of at least 90. I v I29. In an automatic train pipe connecter, in combination with a carcoupler, a bracket rigidly secured thereto and extendingdownwardly'therefrom and having a seat on its front face, a couplinghead, a pair of spaced members secured to said head and extendingrearwardly on opposite sides'of said bracket, :1 part secured to therear ends of said members and extending transversely of the bracket, apivot device surrounding said bracket and engaging said seat andextending rearwa'rdly of the bracket, a spring mounted on said deviceand engaging said part, said spaced members and said device and springbeing capable of rotation together in either direction around saidbracket to bring said members intoa position transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the car coupler.

30. Man automatic train pipe connecter, in combination, a bracket havinga rear surface and also having a verticallyarranged rearwardly curvedportion provided with a seat on its front face, saidportion extendingrearwardly of a vertical plane passing through said rear surface on thebracket, a coupling head, a member secured thereto and extendingrearwardly past said bracket and having .a part adapted to engage saidrear surface on the, bracket, a device pivotally supported on said seat,and a spring for maintaining said device in position and acting to presssaid part against said rear surface of the bracket.

31. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket, a coupling head, amember connected to said head and extending rearwardly therefrom outsideof the bracket and to the rear of the latter, a tie rod pivotallyengaging said bracket and extending rearwardly thereof and having anabutment thereon, a spring surrounding said tie rod and arranged betweensaid. abutment and the rear end of said member, saidhead and memberbeing capable of rearward movement to compress said spring when saidhead contacts with a mating head, the head and member and front end ofsaid spring being capable of substantial vertical movement relative tosaid bracketand said tie rod when the connecter is in the coupledposition. ,7

r 32. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a bracket, a coiled springpivotally supported on the bracket and disposed at the rear thereof, acoupling head arranged in front of said bracket, a member connected tosaid head and spanning said bracket and engaging the front end of saidspring, said head and member being adapted to be forced rearwardly tocompress said spring when said head encounters a mating head and beingmovable in a vertical plane relative to the'bracket When thus forcedrcarwardly, the front end of said spring when compressed being capableof flexing and yielding to permit movement of said member and head in avertical plane relative to saidbracket While mating heads are coupled inservice.

33. In combination, an automatic train pipe connecter head, a supportingmember connected to said headand extending rearardly and provided at itsrear end With a portion having an opening, a bracket extending fromabove said member downwardly through the same, a tie rod pivotallyengaging said bracket and extending rearwardly through said opening, anabutment on the rear end of said rod, a coiled spring surrounding saidrod with its rear end seated against said abutment and its front end en-Lil gaging said portion onthe head supporting member, said connecterhead and support-mg member being held suspended or balanced upon thefrontend of said'spring and beingadapted through the flexing or yieldingof the coils of said spring to freely move to a substantial extent in avertical plane relative to said bracket and Without movement of said tierod While said connecter head is coupled to a mating head, whereby saidhead and member float upon the front end of said spring. V

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

GEORGE E. BALDWIN.

